Moto [moh-toh]: Movement; manner of movement; particularly, movement with increased rapidity;
Synthesis [sin-thuh-sis]: the combining of the constituent elements of separate material or abstract entities into a single or unified entity.
Serving the Kustom motorcycle, Cafe Racer, Brat, Bobber, Chopper, and Street Tracker community since 2003

CX500 Build

1981 Honda CX500 left for dead in the weeds...notice the ominous trash can in the background.

These bikes are pretty ugly in stock form, but they have a great motor and drive train - sort of like a water cooled Moto Guzzi. I thought it would be a good challenge to see if I could resurrect this derelict motorcycle and make an attractive, vintage inspired, cafe racer out of it. With the shaft drive and water cooling it should make a reliable daily rider.

CX striped down to bare essentials, mocked up with bars and tank.

I decided to modify the awkward frame and cut off seat support/shock mounts.

I left the front of the seat support and added a new seat loop with better lines that work with the new tank.

Here is the removed section of frame

This is the new section of frame mocked up before welding.

Tacking seat loop in place.

This is the frame before final welding, including new mount tabs for shocks, blinkers, and side plates.

I just need to finish welding and then off to powdercoat.

Motor before clean up/inspection

The frame and stock wheels back from powder coat. I replaced the old worn out shocks, cut down the stock fender, and mounted some new rubber.

I also powder coated the modified fork lowers. Now we have a roller!

I stripped the paint, added mounting tabs, and started body work on the tank. Fabricated seat pan, mounted and shaped the foam.

I made a two into one exhaust system for better performance and sound.

Fabricated brake pedal and foot pegs.

Fabricated new shift pedal.

New coolant overflow canister.

I wanted to keep the handle bars clean so I built a dashboard for swithches into the tank design

...after body work.

Now it's time to wire it up and see if it runs!

I chucked the old harness for a new compact, hi tech unit.

I mounted the harness under the CDI/coil/regulator tray. The old coils were in sad shape so I replaced them with new smaller units. It should all fit under the seat nicely.

Routing the wires to their destinations can be a bit confusing. Once sorted and connected the installation should be a bit cleaner.

I pulled all the necessary wires through the frame and out the headlight shell so I can hide all connections in the shell.

These are the switches I will mount in the tank "dashboard". Kill switch, hi-lo beam, blinkers.

This wiring module will handle all lighting, starting, and circuit breaker functions. No more fuses.

The stock CDI and voltage regulator will handle engine management and charging.

This is where I mounted the starter solenoid, where the over flow tank used to be, between the back of the motor and frame. It works with the key now.

I am using an automotive style ignition switch. That eliminates the need for a start button.

I mounted the ignition switch on the left "number plate". I will have graphics there of some sort, not sure what yet. Any ideas?

Now I just need to fab the license plate holder/ brake light mount, rebuild carbs, and build throttle cables, then the bike will be finished.

Today I rebuilt and mounted the carbs.

I used the stock choke cable and made it really short so I could eliminate it from the bars.

First I replaced the air cut off valves.

Then I separated the two carbs so I could replace the o rings on the fuel supply tube and the accelerator pump tube.

After I replaced those o rings I put the carbs back together. I found it easier to work on them when attached.

Since I had the float bowls off I rejetted the carbs to compensate for the new air cleaners and less restrictive exhaust. 90 slow jet, 120 main jet.

New float valves

Off with the tops...

Needle looked good so I left it alone

After assembly I bench tested for leaks.

Fuel rig. No leaks!

I also checked to make sure the accelerator pumps were squirting.

New o rings on intake boots.

Everything fits, now time to build some throttle cables.

This is the kit I will be using to build the throttle cables.

I am using a Domino throttle control. These are made for dirt bike applications, but since I am not using any buttons or switches on the bars I can use this simple set up. I like these because they are light, simple and sturdy.

First you route the cable housings.

Then you measure for length. I marked them with tape.

Cut to length.

These are the ends that fit in the throttle control.

Feed the cables through the housings.

Throttle assembled...

...and mounted.

These are the fittings that go on the carburetor end of the cable.

Cut the cables to length and slip fittings over end.

I found it easier to take the cable/throttle assembly off for soldering the ends.

Flare the cable ends and solder the joint.

Finished install, now I can finally start it!

I started it yesterday, it runs great. The sound is ferocious with the two into one and glass pack muffler. Deep and throaty. I'm sure my neighbors appreciate it too.

55 comments:

I am extremely impressed with your craftsmanship. The jog in the CX frame has always been a bone of contention for me. I adapted to it in my first build, but removing it the way you did is the direction I would like to take with my next CX build (these things just kinda reproduce, ya know?). You definitely have my wheels turning.The spoked wheel modification is awesome! I have the 16-in rear wheels on my bikes, the same that is currently on your build (stock Comstars). Do you think the smaller rim diameter would make the wheel look a little strange? Your 18 looks great, but just wondering if an inch shorter spoke would look out of place?I Google’d the Ultima wiring harness. I see they’re actually manufactured for Harley’s. Were there any issues utilizing them on your CX build? Does the flasher module work with LED brake lights and turn signals? This loom could cure a lot of my ills.Can you provide some info on your coils? Both of mine are cracked, might as well go for it while she’s torn apart.Again, terrific build and great foresight. Looking forward to more!

Hey FlyinElvis, good to hear from you. The harness is working out great. I was doing quite a bit of wiring yesterday. It is a time consuming process and I kind of got sidetracked on the spoke wheel thing. I will post photos today. I might be able to finish in next couple of days. Thanks for tuning in.MotoSythesis

Excellent write-up! I think I'll adopt the Ultima harness on my next build. Spent the weekend slicing and splicing on the existing harness. A bit of a pain with the retrofit. Picked up a Vintage Connections, connector kit, it worked wonders (once I figured out how to operate the crimping tool). Highly recommend it. Thanks for providing such detailed information, no matter how intimate you get with these bikes, there is always something to be gained from looking over the shoulder of others. Best of luck (I may look into those spoke wheels at some point) and keep us posted on your project(s)...-tom

hi jerryi just saw your cx on ottonero's blog and i fell in love with it!

it's a really nice project...great details...except...those side number plates!PLEASE... TAKE THEM OFF!!:))

u put so much work on this bike, and those plates seem to be there just becoz u had to cover that space after somebody stole the "original" ones!(by "originals" i mean: something u could fabricate or maybe adapt from another bikes... something with a certain design... to much the rest of the bike!)

I know they look a little out of place right now, but wait 'til you see them with the graphics. Once the final paint and graphics are applied it will all tie in together nicely. Stay tuned for final result and full photoshoot. Thanks for checking out my blog.MotoSynthesis

Nice work Jerry. A lot to like with this bike. The switches on the tank, the paint, the workmanship etc are fantastic. The way you handled the rear frame and the side covers are interesting. I'd love to see the proper pictures. Not sure the dodgy phone pics are doing it justice. I'll be featuring it on the blog in the next few days.

WOW!!! It looks fantastic! I have a CX500 that I've been fighting with the wiring harness for over a decade. Where can I get an unit like that? I live in Utah and there aren't many local sources, maybe online somewhere?

Hey Breno,Thank you. You can get that wire harness from www.jirehcycles.com . It is designed for custom builds, mostly Harley. I have found it works well for most any application. It controls all lighting and circuit breaker functions. I threw out my entire CX500 harness and it works great, much cleaner. You just need to keep the CDI, voltage regulator, and solenoid. The bike runs perfectly.MotoSynthesis

Great job and great story and pics. I have built a CB750 stock,CB350 Café & a SR500 Café and know all the time and work you have put into this build.. Great job. Will call when I do a CX 500 build..Soon..

This is fantastic! I will be starting a CX500 build soon, and will definitely be using some of your methods. Tell me more about the Venhill cable kit, how did you solder the barrels? I did not think you could use a home soldering kit (Iron or Gun).

Excellent post, the pics were really wonderful. My favorite thing by far is the switch placement, that's so genius and looks so nice once finished. Switch placement can be a pain and your solution is definitely something I will keep in mind in the future. Great work!

Hey there Jerry. I myself just received a CX500 as a project. My question for you is how you made the gear shifter? The one that is on there now just doesnt make sense on how its suppose to work. Can you please contact me at bryanbissonnette@yahoo.com?

Looks great Jerry! I am a car guy but just found a 79 cx500 for $400. I'm going to try my hand at a café build so I can respect the bike and get to know the mechanics inside and out. Any tips for a first timer outside of the step by step photos you showed? Looking for any links to correct parts that will fit in, great build and I hope I can post some pics in the next 6 months showing a completed sex machine :) -JB

Looks great Jerry! I just found a 79 cx500 for $400 so I'm going to try my hand at a first time build. Outside of all you posted above showing your steps, any advice for a car guy attempting his first café? :) Hopefully in 6 months I'll be able to post some before and after photos. Cheers -JB